Sharman Stone’s Private Member’s Motion Births Gas Appliance Safety Strategy
August 10, 2011
The death of two Mooroopna children last year from carbon monoxide poisoning has prompted Sharman Stone Member for Murray to move a private Members Bill to have laws changed to prevent similar accidents.
“This motion called on the federal government to work with the states and territories through the Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE) to put in place urgent new safety regulations and detectors. The combination of poor ventilation and reversed flow from flued and unflued-gas appliances can lead to high levels of carbon monoxide gas which can be fatal.” Dr Stone said.
Dr Stone's Bill received bi-partisan support and has now prompted the release of the Gas Appliance Safety Strategy (GASS) draft.
The Minister Martin Ferguson is now seeking public submissions on this draft strategy
“No one wants to see anyone, especially children or the elderly, dying from the odourless, colourless, but deadly gas,” Dr Stone said.
“Through a combination of overseas experience, the knowledge and skills of our nation's gas safety experts now have produced a discussion paper addressing maintenance, detectors, house design and communication issues.”
Those seeking more information about the draft strategy or how to make a submission should consult the Ministerial Council of Energy’s website at http://www.mce.gov.au/ .
Written submissions should be sent to the MCE Secretariat by close of business on Friday 19 August 2011 via MCEMarketReform@ret.gov.au
or hard copy submissions to:
Manager, MCE Secretariat
Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
GPO Box 1564
Canberra ACT 2601
These comments will be considered by the Gas Technical Regulators Committee when developing its strategy later in the year.
Media Contact: Jonathan Clark 0417 148 110
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